Arsonist was bullied on remand

6:30am Friday 5th September 2008

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A 22-year-old man who set fire to a car parked on the driveway of his brother's ex-girlfriend has escaped a further jail sentence after spending eight months in custody on remand.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said he was taking the amount of time James Perrins had been locked up when he imposed a two-year community and supervision order.

He also ordered a 7pm to 7am curfew for three months.

Perrins, of Avon Road, Pershore, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to arson reckless that life might be endangered on February 7 last year.

Jennifer Josephs, prosecuting, said Perrins had gone to the home of Carla Fraser in Appleton Road, Pershore, at 10.30pm, poured petrol over the bonnet of a Rover and set it alight.

He had been upset by comments made about his brother Adam whose relationship had finished with Miss Fraser.

Neighbours spotted the car ablaze and called the fire brigade.

The flames were put out but the intense heat caused £840 damage to the housing association property. Miss Fraser and her children escaped unharmed through a back door.

Perrins was arrested the next day but said he had been at home.

He confessed after a petrol can, jacket and gloves were found in a plastic bag at a friend's home.

He said he had not intended to hurt anyone but just scare Miss Fraser.

Abigail Nixon, defending, said Perrins was a vulnerable individual who had been bullied at school and again when he was on remand in Blakenhurst prison.

His parents were so concerned that they had contacted the prison because of the danger of self-harm.

A kindly prison officer had agreed to keep an eye on Perrins to prevent further bullying.

His time inside was the equivalent to a 16-month sentence.

The judge acknowledged that further custody would be difficult but felt that Perrins did not pose a significant risk of offending.